ISSL Reflections February 4 2024 Isaiah 40:12–13, 25–31 Post 3

VII.
As you spend time once again with the prophet’s words, take note of what he says both about the greatness of God and God’s care for humanity.

Who has measured the waters of the sea in the hollow of his hand
       and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
       and weighed the mountains in scales
       and the hills in a balance?
Who has directed the spirit of the Lord
       or as his counselor has instructed him?

To whom, then, will you compare me,
       or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
       Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
       calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
       mighty in power,
       not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
       and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
       and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
       the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
       his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint
       and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
       and the young will fall exhausted,
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
       they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
       they shall walk and not faint.

IX.
The prophet could not be much more explicit about the greatness, awesomeness and power of God.

Yet he stresses God’s knowledge as much as God’s power.

Then he brings it down to a human level, and speaks of how God imparts strength to humanity.

When have you had occasion to contemplate the wonders of the world?

How do you make the jump from the wonders of the world to God’s interest in and care for you and me?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *